Oblivion or Utopia: the Prospects for Africa explains that most of the problems on the continent stem from the fact that, although the continent may be politically independent, it is not economically independent. Efforts to reverse the continent's continuing underdevelopment have failed to date, including trillions of dollars in aid, because they have not been consciously aimed at enabling Africa to turn its vast natural resources into wealth, which is the only known way of ensuring economic independence. Based on a comprehensive exploration of impediments to reach the goal of economic independence required for self definition, the book proposes a five step strategy which can enable the continent to turn its natural resources into wealth by: 1.